Kelsea Muburi –18 Years Old – Attacking Midfielder | Signs with Cardiff Metropolitan FC

At 18 years old, this attacking midfielder has just finished his first season with Cardiff Metropolitan FC — as a league winner, a Europa Youth League qualifier, and a player who contributed around 17 assists across the campaign. A year ago, he was playing step-three non-league football. UK Football Trials was the turning point.

His background includes five years at Reading FC's academy from the age of ten, before being released at 15. Rather than stepping away from the game, he worked his way back through JPL and Sunday league football, then into non-league with Chippenham Town's under-23s at step two, a spell at Newbury at step six for senior men's experience, and eventually a move to Marlow at step three. It was while at Marlow that his dad came across UK Football Trials online and suggested he attend the Cardiff event.

"He found the opportunity for me and I just pretty much turned up on the day and performed — and the rest was history, I guess."

The day ran through technical drills, passing work, one-versus-ones, and an eleven-versus-eleven. He had already scored twice in the game when he cramped up and briefly came off. Cardiff Met scout Jack Lions came straight over.

"He said, 'You're playing really well.' And then: 'I'd want you to be with us.' Pretty much just there and then on the day."

With A levels to finish, they agreed he would join for preseason in June. He turned down a contract renewal at Marlow and arrived at Cardiff Met shortly after his exams. A standout performance at left wing back against Swansea City — a position his manager put him in specifically for his speed and one-versus-one ability — helped convince the coaching staff, and he signed in August.

The season went well. The highlight came in the final game, when he came off the bench with the score at 1-1 and helped Cardiff Met win — a 96th-minute goal sending them to the Europa Youth League for the first time in the club's history.

"I didn't even start that game, but I came on and played really well. We scored in the 96th minute to send ourselves to Europe. Proper fairy tale."

Next season brings European football, a league title to defend, and a personal aim to add more goals to his game. On what UK Football Trials gave him, he was straightforward:

"It has given me confidence. Setbacks happen — like being released from Reading — but knowing that two clubs saw something in me at that trial meant a lot."

His advice to players considering attending is simple:

"Just show that hunger. You can have the talent, but scouts need to see that you want it — that you will run, cover the distance, and work for the team. Staying hungry and determined can really take you a long way."

From Reading's academy at ten, through non-league, to signing with Cardiff Met and qualifying for Europe in his first season — he turned up at a UK Football Trials event, performed, and changed the direction of his career.